The exclusive Aman Resorts is launching a new hotel brand in Tokyo, while other resorts are set to open in The Red Sea and the Seychelles.
Meanwhile, in France, the Notre-Dame cathedral is on schedule for reopening and, in Saudi Arabia, the latest Diriyah Season cultural calendar has been revealed.
Here's a round-up of recent travel and tourism news – in case you missed it.
Aman to unveil new hotel brand next year
Janu Tokyo is set to open in March as the first of 12 properties under the new sister hospitality brand to the renowned Aman Resorts.
Chairman and chief executive Vlad Doronin said: “The arrival of Janu Tokyo signifies a pivotal moment in Aman Group's progression – not only introducing the energetic spirit of Janu for the very first time, but also representing the evolution and enduring strength of Aman.”
Janu Tokyo is connected to the Azabudai Hills project and is the only hotel in the development. It will feature 122 rooms and suites, eight dining venues, two boutiques and a 4,000-square-metre wellness centre that's home to one of the city's largest gyms.
It's now open for bookings, with stays starting in March and prices from $944 per night.
Notre-Dame to reopen next December
French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Friday that the reopening of Paris's fire-ravaged Notre-Dame cathedral will remain on schedule.
Part of the landmark was destroyed in a fire in April 2019 and reconstruction has been continuing ever since. It will reopen for religious services and to the public on December 8, 2024 with the damaged spire reconstructed in identical fashion.
“Deadlines will be met,” Macron said. “It is a formidable image of hope and of a France that has rebuilt itself.”
Cheval Blanc to open Seychelles property next autumn
The sixth Cheval Blanc Maison is scheduled to open in autumn next year on the southwestern coast of Mahe Island in the Seychelles.
Cheval Blanc Seychelles has been designed by architect Jean-Michel Gathy as an ode to Creole traditions, while paying homage to its natural surroundings. It will feature 52 villas, spanning 220 to 1,950 square metres. Each villa will feature a private swimming pool and views of either the beachfront, hillside or tropical jungle. The property will also include the Spa Cheval Blanc, a pool, fitness room, surf simulator and two tennis and padel courts.
Dining outlets will include Mizumi, an Asian restaurant by the lake; Vivamento, a pool-facing Italian spot; Mediterranean beach club Sula; and Le 1947, the brand's signature French gastronomic venue.
New calendar for Diriyah Season is unveiled
Diriyah Season, a three-month cultural festival, begins on Tuesday in the birthplace of Saudi Arabia with a raft of events and experiences on the programme.
This season's activities are spread across various locations in the area, including Unesco World Heritage Site At-Turaif, dining destination Bujairi Terrace and Diriyah's parks and wadis.
Events include a series of concerts from Saudi musicians such as Rabeh Saqer and Ayed, who will kick off the season. A custom-built escape room called Journey to the Future will challenge visitors, while showcases of contemporary art, cuisine, dance, poetry and theatre will also take place.
One exhibition will focus on the colourful engraved doors of Diriyah and Najd regions, while At Turaif Retrospective brings together stories and memories of the area through a multimedia installation.
The St Regis to be Red Sea's first island destination
Scheduled to open in the new year, The St Regis Red Sea Resort will be the first island destination to launch within Saudi Arabia's regenerative tourism project, The Red Sea.
The resort, which features 90 beachfront and overwater villas, is located on Ummahat Island, which is surrounded by abundant wildlife, marine ecosystems and preserved coral reefs. Guests can snorkel or scuba dive amid wrecks and discovery sites, including the Blue Hole, a large natural marine cavern near the resort. Other activities include various water sports and excursions to nearby dormant volcanoes, heritage sites and desert dunes.
On-site there will be five restaurants, two outdoor pools, a fitness centre, signature spa and children's club.
Sustainability is at the heart of this island resort, as it will offer a plastic-free environment and will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy generated by solar power and a nearby battery storage facility.
Bookings are now open, with nightly rates starting from $1,333.
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi marks inaugural Colombo flight
The capital's first low-cost carrier on Friday launched a direct service to Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport.
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi will connect to the Sri Lankan capital three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
This takes the airline's network up to 28 destinations, which it serves with a fleet of 10 Airbus A320s from Abu Dhabi's new Terminal A.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Fixtures
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Kathryn Hawkes of House of Hawkes on being a good guest (because we’ve all had bad ones)
- Arrive with a thank you gift, or make sure you have one for your host by the time you leave.
- Offer to buy groceries, cook them a meal or take your hosts out for dinner.
- Help out around the house.
- Entertain yourself so that your hosts don’t feel that they constantly need to.
- Leave no trace of your stay – if you’ve borrowed a book, return it to where you found it.
- Offer to strip the bed before you go.
DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 171 points
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP) 151
3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-GP) 136
4. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing) 107
5. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 83
6. Sergio Perez (Force India) 50
7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) 45
8. Esteban Ocon (Force India) 39
9. Carlos Sainz (Torro Rosso) 29
10. Felipe Massa (Williams) 22
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Teri%20Baaton%20Mein%20Aisa%20Uljha%20Jiya
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amit%20Joshi%20and%20Aradhana%20Sah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECast%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shahid%20Kapoor%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%2C%20Dharmendra%2C%20Dimple%20Kapadia%2C%20Rakesh%20Bedi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The National selections:
6.30pm AF Alwajel
7.05pm Ekhtiyaar
7.40pm First View
8.15pm Benbatl
8.50pm Zakouski
9.25pm: Kimbear
10pm: Chasing Dreams
10.35pm: Good Fortune
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